Hockey WC: Germany, Netherlands snatch semis slots

BHUBANESWAR: Germany registered a thrilling 4-3 win over England in shootout after playing 2-2 draw in the regulation time of the third quarterfinal to seal the semifinal spot at the FIH Mens Hockey World Cup 2023 at the Kalinga Stadium, here on Wednesday.

Captain Mats Grambusch and his younger brother Tom scored in the space of a 60 seconds after England were ahead 2-0 till the 58th minutes as Germany snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in an edge-of-the-seat quarter-final.

Germany, who finished second in Pool B and defeated France 5-1 in the crossover match, will face title contenders Australia in the semi-finals on Friday.

The vociferous spectators at the Kalinga Stadium thought that England would wrap up the match comfortably after Zachary Wallace (12th minute) and Liam Ansell (33rd) gave them a 2-0 lead.

But to their astonishment, the Germans came back roaring and scored in the 58th and 59th minute through Mats and Tom Grambusch respectively.

Trailing 1-2, Germany got a penalty-stroke with a minute to go in the match. Mats then asked his younger brother Tom to take it and he made no mistake from the spot to take the match to the penalty shoot-out.

Niklas Wellen, Hannes Muller, Prinz Thies and Christopher Ruhr scored for Germany in the shoot-out.

James Albery, Zachary Wallace, Phil Roper were England's scores, while David Goodfield missed.

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